Town Supervisor's Statement on ICE Facility Is Misleading. Here's Why
The Town of Newburgh says it didn't know about the ICE facility. But what's the real timeline? We're digging
[A note to readers: We explain, and defend, calling ICE facilities “Concentration Camps” in our book, How to Protect Yourself From Fascists & Weirdos, which you can read for free here.]
On Thursday, July 2, Newburgh Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio posted on the Town’s website the following statement concerning the ICE concentration camp intended for 800 Corporate Boulevard:
“ICE Detention Facility Opposed by Town of Newburgh
As Supervisor of the Town of Newburgh, I first became aware of the possible lease of a warehouse located at 800 Corporate Boulevard in the Town of Newburgh on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
The Town has had no prior contact with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding this matter.
In February of this year, the Town of Newburgh adopted a resolution joining Orange County and many other municipalities in opposing the use of any warehouse in Orange County as an immigration detention facility.
The Town of Newburgh will pursue all available legal options to prevent this facility from being established in our community.”
This statement is false, since The Monroe Gazette reached out to Mr. Piaquadio on May 13, 2026.
In Mr. Piaquadio’s defense, nobody seems to know anything around here when it comes to the actions of ICE. We saw this last time in Chester where Village, Town, and County officials were blindsided by ICE’s plans to convert 29 Elizabeth Drive into a 1,500-bed concentration camp.
Mr. Piaquadio has not replied directly to The Monroe Gazette, following our second request for comment on June 30, which is what we think he’s referencing in the Town’s statement above.
“Nobody” includes Congressman Ryan’s office—who first learned about the news of the Newburgh facility from The Monroe Gazette, so don’t let Congressman Ryan do what he did last time with Chester where he claimed to be the one breaking the news.
Nope. The Washington Post found the 29 Elizabeth Drive on a list of leaked ICE facilities. The Monroe Gazette then figured out where the building was and who owned it. Congressman Ryan didn’t “break” any news. Although if he wants to start explaining why he was one of few Democrats to vote for the GENIUS Act, which helps the Trump Crime Family to make over a billion dollars in income through crypto dealings, we’re all ears. (At this time, Congressman Ryan’s office has not replied to requests for comment from The Monroe Gazette.)
Constituents of Assemblyman Jonathan G. Jacobson have been told his office staff are making calls, telling one constituent, “We are all in this together.” Mr. Jacobson has not replied at this time to requests for comment by The Monroe Gazette.
Eager residents of the Town and City of Newburgh, and other community members, went to the Town of Newburgh’s Planning Board meeting, originally scheduled for last night—July 2, 2026—but found it was canceled due to Heatwave Saudi Aramco. Unconfirmed reports at this time suggest the Town will pass a resolution at their July 13, 2026 meeting opposing the concentration camp.
An attorney for the Town of Newburgh, Mark C. Taylor, did respond to The Monroe Gazette’s FOIL appeal, informing us of a response from the Town no later than July 15. So, if the Town actually knew anything—which isn’t likely, but we have to inquire anyway—we’ll find out by the 15th of this month.
We’ve received questions about what, if anything, can be done to stop the warehouse at 800 Corporate Boulevard from being used to house and move ICE detainees. We will be speaking with two attorneys next week, and hope to bring you an interview with one of them as soon as we can. But don’t get your hopes up.
At the moment, it seems only Attorney General Letitia James can block and sue over potential administrative and environmental issues that may arise. At this time, The Monroe Gazette can confirm that the Attorney General is investigating the matter.
Let’s hope she gets on this faster than she did the multi-year conspiracy to subvert the vote over in the Village of South Blooming Grove, the subject of our next book.
Want more from The Monroe Gazette? Check out this week’s episode of our sister podcast, Stupid Sexy Privacy:
This week, Rosie and Andrew expose the unholy alliance between the wellness industry and fascist influencers, revealing how unregulated product peddlers launder money through fake engagement metrics to amplify dangerous extremists. BJ is then joined by Amy S. Greenberg, author of "A Wicked War: Polk, Clay, Lincoln, and the 1846 U.S. Invasion of Mexico" to talk about a little-known moment in American history that informs a lot of today's hype and exaggeration created by fascists involving the border.